CUISINART OUTDOORS 16 in. Vertical Charcoal Smoker and Grill
Best versatile cooker for beginners exploring charcoal smoking and grilling.
Elevate your backyard cooking with this versatile vertical charcoal smoker and grill. Designed for enthusiasts, its vertical build maximizes cooking space while maintaining a compact footprint. Achieve perfect smoky flavors and precise internal temperatures with the dual air vent system. Adjustable racks offer flexibility for various food sizes, making it ideal for small to medium gatherings. With 402 square inches of cooking surface, this smoker provides ample room for all your grilling and smoking needs.
$119.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.2
/ 5
Category Rank
371
/ 488
#371 in Food Smokers
Price vs Category Average
-91%
Below average
Dimensions
32.021.021.0
/ H in, W in, D in
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking diverse outdoor culinary experiences
- Urban dwellers or those with restricted outdoor space
- Flavor enthusiasts who appreciate deep, smoky profiles
Who should skip it
- Novice smokers or those desiring set-and-forget convenience
- Entertainers hosting big parties or families cooking for many
- Individuals who prioritize quick and effortless post-cook maintenance
Performance breakdown
Temperature Stability
Dual vents offer reliable airflow management for consistent low-and-slow cooking sessions.
Spatial Efficiency
Vertical footprint maximizes cooking capacity without crowding smaller patios or decks.
Cooking Versatility
Adjustable racks easily accommodate everything from whole chickens to large brisket cuts.
Ease of Assembly
Straightforward construction process gets you smoking in under an hour.
Heat Retention
Thin-gauge metal requires careful monitoring during colder or windier outdoor conditions.
Fuel Accessibility
Access door allows for quick charcoal replenishment without losing precious internal heat.
Key Specs
Dimensions
H 32.0 in, W 21.0 in, D 21.0 in
Cooking Area
402 sq. in.
Fuel Type
Charcoal
Smoker Type
Vertical Smoker
Temperature Control
Dual air vent system
Racks
Adjustable
Know before you buy
The 402 square inches of cooking area is well-suited for small to medium gatherings. You can comfortably fit a whole chicken, a few racks of ribs, or several burgers and sausages at once, making it ideal for family dinners or intimate backyard cookouts.
The dual air vent system allows you to manage airflow manually. By adjusting the vents on the top and bottom, you can control the amount of oxygen reaching the charcoal, which directly regulates the internal temperature of the smoker.
The vertical design is actually quite efficient for space, though it does require you to lift the lid or access the racks vertically. Because the racks are adjustable, you can customize the spacing to accommodate taller items like whole poultry or adjust them for flatter cuts of meat.
Yes, this unit is designed as a hybrid. While it excels at low-and-slow smoking due to its vertical structure and vent system, you can also use it for direct grilling by managing your charcoal placement and airflow.
With dimensions of 21 inches wide by 21 inches deep, this smoker has a compact footprint that is perfect for smaller patios, balconies, or limited outdoor spaces where a full-sized horizontal smoker would be too bulky.
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